Marc Hochman of WQAM, who spent many years working on The Dan Le Batard Show, posted on his X account expressing his disappointment in not being included in the 20th Anniversary Show. Hochman said he was under the understanding Dan Le Batard had told his staff no to include Hochman.
“Unfortunately, I was told that Dan forbade anyone from reaching out to me to participate in The Dan Le Batard Show 20th anniversary celebration,” Hochman wrote. “Very hurtful [to be honest]. I busted my ass for almost a decade to make sure I was doing my part in turning Dan’s vision into radio reality. Was not easy in those early years to try & take down WQAM- because they were unbeatable. (Until we beat them!)
“And it certainly wasn’t easy to implement a style of radio that Dan wanted to do when we faced roadblocks every step of the way— but we did it!”
While clearly disappointed, Hochman had plenty of very positive things to say about his time working on the show.
“Anyway, I loved my time on the show & would have loved to have reminisced with the fellas about those times. That era will go down as some of the best years in Miami radio history, [in my opinion]. Strange thing is I’m friends still with all the early cast members, except Dan. And he and I never had a fight, a ‘break up’ or anything… (We argued plenty during my final year on the show. After a particularly vicious argument, he told me I wouldn’t be a part of the show for much longer and that I should accept another position if it got offered to me… so I did.) It worked out well for all of us, so it turned out perfectly in my opinion.”
The show debuted on 790 The Ticket with Le Batard and co-host Jon ‘Stugotz’ Weiner.
“Anyway, would’ve loved to celebrate this monumental radio achievement with the listeners, but it wasn’t meant to be!” Hochman continued. “Regardless, I wish them all a happy 20th anniversary and more importantly I salute the early listeners, who rallied around the show so ferociously, that it allowed us to create some incredibly memorable radio for South Florida. Without the early, passionate listeners the show never would’ve lasted. They are the real heroes in the 20-year success story of The Le Batard Show!”
